Association Between PGC-1Alpha Gene Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes Risk: A Case-Control Study of an Iranian Population

Objective: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1 alpha) gene could play a role in the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to explore the possible associations among polymorphisms Gly482Ser, Thr394Thr and Thr528Thr of the PGC-1 alpha gene and the risk of type 2 diabetes in Kurdish-Iranians. Methods: DNA specimens from all 173 type 2 diabetes subjects and 173 normoglycemic subjects were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were analyzed in each group. Serum lipids, fasting glucose, fasting serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and glycated hemoglobin levels were determined using the conventional methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The GA genotype of Gly482Ser was associated with a significant susceptibility for type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 5.23, p<0.000). Furthermore, the GA genotype of Thr528Thr had a higher risk for type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 2.37, p<0.002). Normoglycemic persons carrying the GA+AA genotypes of Gly482Ser variation had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with persons having GG genotype. In comparison with GG genotype carriers, normoglycemic subjects carrying the GA+AA genotypes of Thr394Thr variation had significantly higher fasting blood sugar, fasting serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Normoglycemic subjects with the GA+AA genotypes of Thr528Thr variation had significantly higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with subjects having the GG genotype. Type 2 diabetes subjects carrying the GA+AA genotypes of this polymorphism had significantly higher waist-hip ratio in comparison with the GG genotype carriers. We also found that haplotype 394-GG/482-GA/528-GG of PGC-1 alpha was significantly associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Our findings revealed significant associations between PGC-1alpha Gly482Ser and Thr528Thr polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes in Kurdish-Iranians. (C) 2015 Canadian Diabetes Associatio

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate-Induced Hippocampus-Derived Neural Stem Cells Proliferation

The brain and spinal cord have a limited capacity for self-repair under damaged conditions. One of the best options to overcome these limitations involves the use of phytochemicals as potential therapeutic agents. In this study, we have aimed to investigate the effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on hippocampus-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation to search phytochemical candidates for possible treatment of neurological diseases using endogenous capacity. In this experimental study, neonatal rat hippocampus-derived NSCs were cultured and treated with various concentrations of DEHP (0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mu M) and Cirsium vulgare (C. vulgare) hydroethanolic extract (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mu g/ml) for 48 hours under in vitro conditions. Cell proliferation rates and quantitative Sox2 gene expression were evaluated using MTT assay and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We observed the highest average growth rate in the 400 mu M DEHP and 800 mu g/ml C. vulgare extract treated groups. Sox2 expression in the DEHP-treated NSCs significantly increased compared to the control group. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results demonstrated that the active ingredients that naturally occurred in the C. vulgare hydroethanolic extract were 2-ethyl-1-hexanamine, n-heptacosane, 1-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid, 1-heptadecanamine, 2,6-octadien-1-ol, 2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene, and DEHP. DEHP profoundly stimulated NSCs proliferation through Sox2 gene overexpression. These results provide and opportunity for further use of the C. vulgure phytochemicals for prevention and/or treatment of neurological diseases via phytochemical mediated-proliferation of endogenous adult NSCs

Anxiety as a consequence of modern dietary pattern in adults in Tehran-Iran

Food intake patterns in relation to mental health have already been revealed. To investigate the relationship between processed food consumption behavior and anxiety disorder, a cross sectional study was conducted. Overall, 1782 young adults aged 18-35 years were randomly selected using cluster sampling method from 22 districts of Tehran Iran in 2011. Diet assessment was done using a 24 hour recall questionnaire in two times with a week interval. Anxiety level was determined using the validated Speilburger test (Persian version). A proportional odds regression model was used to assess the effect of processed food consumption on anxiety variables. A significant statistical difference was found between men and women in terms of processed food consumption (p<0.001). Adjusting for age, total calorie intake, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and history of sedative drug consumption as well as mental health disorders, the proportional odds regression model showed a significant relationship between increased consumption of processed foods and anxiety (OR = 4.73, 95 CI: 2.89-12.54 for state and OR = 4.91, 95 CI: 2.88-13.99 for trait). Identification, modification and adjusting incorrect food patterns in the community could be considered as valuable steps to turn down nutritional-based health difficulties. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Transplantation of olfactory mucosa improve functional recovery and axonal regeneration following sciatic nerve repair in rats

Background: Olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect after being transplanted in rats with spinal cord injury. This study was conducted to determine the possible beneficial results of olfactory mucosa transplantation (OMT) which is a source of OEG on functional recovery and axonal regeneration after transection of the sciatic nerve. Methods: In this study, 36 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The sciatic nerve was transected in 24 rats and immediately repaired by sciatic-sciatic anastomosis, and randomly divided equally into two groups. The experimental group received the OMT at the transected site and the control group received the respiratory mucosa transplant. In another twelve rats as sham-operated animals, the sciatic nerve was exposed but no transection was made. DiI retrograde tracing was injected in the gastrocnemius muscle two months after surgery to allow visualization of the extent of axonal regeneration. Functional recovery was also assessed at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after surgery using walking track analysis and sciatic function index (SFI) calculations. Results: The total number of DiI labeled motorneurones in the ventral horn (L4-L6) and the SFI scores were significantly higher in the group of rats that received olfactory mucosa rather than respiratory mucosa. Conclusions: The outcome indicates that olfactory mucosa is a useful treatment to improve nerve regeneration in mammals with peripheral nerve injury

Analysis of sturgeon fishes reproduction statistics on the northern part of Alborz region

Out put of sturgeon fish hatcheries on the Northern provinces analyzed. Unfortunately, for many reasons such as decreasing of brood fishes ,unsuitable and unprofessional managements, lack of sufficient financial supports, ageing of laboratory and incubation instruments, unemployment of energetic expertise sturgeon propagation and restocking programmes get decreasing trends. Thus managers must planning for activating of sturgeon restocking and propagation subjects

Multifunctional, self-assembling, anionic peptide-lipid nanocomplexes for targeted siRNA delivery

Formulations of cationic liposomes and polymers readily self-assemble by electrostatic interactions with siRNA to form cationic nanoparticles which achieve efficient transfection and silencing in vitro. However, the utility of cationic formulations in vivo is limited due to rapid clearance from the circulation, due to their association with serum proteins, as well as systemic and cellular toxicity. These problems may be overcome with anionic formulations but they provide challenges of self-assembly and transfection efficiency. We have developed anionic, siRNA nanocomplexes utilizing anionic PEGylated liposomes and cationic targeting peptides that overcome these problems. Biophysical measurements indicated that at optimal ratios of components, anionic PEGylated nanocomplexes formed spherical particles and that, unlike cationic nanocomplexes, were resistant to aggregation in the presence of serum, and achieved significant gene silencing although their non-PEGylated anionic counterparts were less efficient. We have evaluated the utility of anionic nanoparticles for the treatment of neuronal diseases by administration to rat brains of siRNA to BACE1, a key enzyme involved in the formation of amyloid plaques. Silencing of BACE1 was achieved in vivo following a single injection of anionic nanoparticles by convection enhanced delivery and specificity of RNA interference verified by 5' RACE-PCR and Western blot analysis of protein

Predictive Values of Different Forms of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Postmolar Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

Objective: The aim of this study was to reach a publicly applicable marker, using the increasing or decreasing trend of different forms of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) during the first 28 days after molar pregnancy evacuation. Methods: The present retrospective cohort study investigated all of the documents of patients with hydatidiform mole according to their pathological results during their admission and follow-up in the past 10 years (2003-2013). The type of the relationship was determined using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (Lowess Smoother) and fractional polynomial regression (Fracpoly), and then a model tailored to data processing was used for drawing the receiver operating characteristic curve. During the investigation of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) risk factors, the multiple logistic regression method was used to control the confounding variables. Results: Among individuals with high-risk molar pregnancy, 11 (18) had GTN, and the prevalence of GTN in individuals with low-risk molar pregnancy was 13.4. The slope of the beta-hCG line slightly decreases with a rate of change close to zero in individuals with GTN, but the decrease is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The receiver operating characteristics curve for serum beta-hCG measurement after 21 days of molar pregnancy evacuation showed 83 sensitivity at 89 specificity (area under the curve, 0.9), which indicates that this variable has an optimal performance for discrimination between the GTN cases and patients who had spontaneous disease remission. The mean times of reaching the first negative titer in those without neoplasia and reaching a definitive GTN diagnosis were 8.1 (SD, 2) and 6.2 (SD, 1.5), respectively. The most effective remaining variable in the logistic model was uterine size larger than gestational age (95 confidence interval, 0.99-1.31; odds ratio, 1.14) with a slight increase in the risk and borderline significance (P = 0.07). Conclusions: The serum beta-hCG measurement after 21 days of molar pregnancy evacuation and slope of the linear regression line of A-hCG showed to be a good test to discriminate between patients who will get spontaneous disease remission and patients developing GTN

GJB2 mutations in deaf population of Ilam (Western Iran): a different pattern of mutation distribution

Hearing loss is the most common sensory defect caused by heterogeneous factors. Up to now, more than 60 mutations in genes have been documented for nonsyndromic hearing loss. Hence, finding the causal gene in affected families could be a laborious and time-consuming process. GJB2 mutations, here, were investigated among deaf subjects of Ilam for the first time. In this study, we studied 62 unrelated patients with non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness from 62 families. The most common mutation of GJB2, 35delG was checked, followed by direct sequencing of the GJB2 gene for determination of other mutations. In silico analyses were also performed using available software. In nine families, mutations in the connexin 26 gene were observed. In the studied population, R32H was the most common mutation. 35delG, W24X, and R127H were other mutations found in this study. In silico analyses showed pathogenicity of 35delG, R32H, and W24X but not R127H. Low frequency of GJB2 mutations in this population is probably indicative of the fact that other genes may be involved in nonsyndromic hearing loss in Ilam populations. In the other hand, the vicinity of Ilam and Iraq suggests that GJB2 mutations have likely a low frequency in this population

Alterations in Plasma Glucose and Cardiac Antioxidant Enzymes Activity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum Extract and Swimming Training

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Trigonella Tomlin-gamin( (fenugreek) and swimming training have previously been reported to have hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. We aimed to evaluate the effects of swimming training and fenugreek aqueous extract, alone and in combination, on plasma glucose and cardiac antioxidant enzymes activity of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Methods: We divided 70 male Wistar rats equally into 7 groups: diabetic control (DC), healthy control (FIC), swimming (5), fenugreek seed extract (1.74 g/kg) (Fl), fenugreek seed extract (0.87 g/kg) (F2), swimming + fenugreek seed extract (1.74 glkg) (5F1), and swimming+ fenugreek seed extract (0.87 glkg) (SF2). We used streptozotocin for the induction of diabetes. Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical program SPSS. Results: We did not detect any significant differences in body weight in the Fl, F2, S, SF1 and SF2 groups compared with the DC group (p>0.05). The results also revealed that the hypoglycemic effect of combined swimming and fenugreek was significantly stronger (p<0.05) than either of those alone. The Fl, 5, SF1 and SF2 groups showed improved superoxide dismutase activity with respect to the DC group (p<0.05). Catalase activity in the Fl, S, SF1 and SF2 groups were significantly higher than those of the DC group (p<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity in the S, SF1 and SF2 groups were significantly increased corn pared with the DC group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the combination of fenugreek seed extract and swimming could be useful for the treatment of hyperglycemia and cardiac oxidative stress induced by type 1 diabetes mellitus. (C) 2016 Canadian Diabetes Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved